Panic Attack Medication- Just What The Doctor Needs to Order?

Author: Blaine Scott

Author: Blaine Scott

The use of panic attack medication can be very useful in the right situations. They are most helpful in preventing panic attacks and in reducing the symptoms of an attack once they start. A side benefit of these medications is they often provide those who suffer from these attacks with hope when virtually all expectations of having a normal life have been dashed. They often provide the needed foundation for a plan of recovery. Several medications have proven to be useful in the clinical treatment of anxiety and panic. The primary groupings of these medications are benzodiazepines, antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Xanax (alprazolam) and Klonopin (clonazepam) are two benzodiazepines that are most often used to treat panic. They are very effective in blocking panic attacks and have relatively few side effects, although there are ones that need to be considered. Xanax is widely believed to be faster acting than Klonopin which makes it very useful as a preventative measure when one is faced with panic inducing situations or feelings. The drug generally takes less than 20 minutes to start providing relief from feelings of anxiety. However, since it is alcohol based some users can become addicted to it and will also experience some withdrawal symptoms when trying to discontinue its use. Users must stop using Xanax gradually over a period of weeks to avoid the side effects. Klonopin is slower acting than Xanax, but it also is a little easier to stop using. Also, it tends to provide relief for longer periods of time. Therefore, it will require fewer doses during a day. Valium (diazepam) and Ativan (lorazepam) are two other benzodiazepines that are also used to treat panic symptoms. They provide a calming influence and many people have had great success using them. My sister has used Ativan as needed over the past several years. It has allowed her to cope with her anxiety and cope with situations that would have overwhelmed her in the past. Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) are antidepressants that are used to treat panic. However, they have serious implications related to diet and drug interactions. Therefore, they are used less often than other antidepressants like Tofranil (imipramine), Anafranil (clomipramine), Norpramin ((desipramine) or Aventyl (nortriptyline). Three quarters of those who take antidepressants find they provide substantial levels of relief as a result of their use. SSRIs (Prozac, Luvox, Lexapro and Celexa are examples) are a relatively new class of drugs that have been used with success in treating panic and anxiety with less health related consequences than some of the other choices. These drugs are used to address imbalances of serotonin in the brain which can cause many of the symptoms associated with panic and anxiety. Again over three quarters of those who use SSRIs note significant reductions in their panic symptoms. If you, or someone you know, suffer from panic and anxiety it is good to know there are medications that have proven to be very effective in helping to treat these symptoms. Make sure these alternatives are fully investigated.About the Author:

Blaine Scott comes from a family with a long history of close relatives who have lived through the struggles associated with anxiety and panic attacks. For more information on panic attack medication, visit http://www.panicattacksresolved.com.

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